This paid event piece is sponsored by the Midwest Agricultural Export Summit.

Ambassadors, Congressional leaders and agriculture commissioners weighed in today on the demand internationally for American agriculture and the challenges facing the industry at the annual The Midwest Agriculture Export Summit.

Held at Sanford Health’s corporate headquarters in Sioux Falls, the Summit drew a broad cross-section of public policymakers and private industry leaders.

“Agriculture today is dealing with a powerful mix of challenges and opportunities,” said Luke Lindberg, former chief of staff and chief strategy officer at the Export-Import Bank of the United States, who now is a partner with Badlands Capital and sits on the board of directors for the South Dakota District Export Council, which hosted the event.

“Russia’s invasion of Ukraine means that the world needs American grains and proteins now more than ever. At the same time, China — who is increasingly hostile and unstable — is a major export market that we cannot ignore.”

Roughly 60 percent of South Dakota soybeans are exported each year, Lindberg explained. China is the largest purchaser.

“Chairman Kimberly Reed, former president and chair of the Export-Import Bank of the U.S. and Terry Branstad, former U.S. ambassador to China and former governor of Iowa, discussed the mounting confrontation between China and Taiwan and how that may act as a further destabilizing force in the agricultural markets.”

Supply chains continue to be a problem, Lindberg added.

“But there are bright spots, such as Congressman Johnson and Senator Thune’s bipartisan Ocean Shipping and Reform Act,” Lindberg said.

Johnson and Thune participated in the summit through two fireside chats.

“It is incredibly impressive that two of South Dakota’s elected officials were the key sponsors of major bipartisan legislation tackling our supply chain issues in their respective chambers,” Lindberg said. “Congressman Johnson and Senator Thune deserve acknowledgement on their collaboration to get this important piece of legislation to President Biden’s desk.”

A trade panel at the Summit also provided an overview of how the federal government and international agencies are working to promote American exports abroad, including:

• Gregg Doud, chief economist, Aimpoint Research and the former Chief Agriculture Negotiator at the Office of the United States Trade Representative
• Kip Tom, former U.S. ambassador to the United Nations agencies for food and agriculture
• Jason Hafemeister, deputy under secretary for foreign agriculture services, USDA

“It was an exceptional conversation,” Lindberg said. “We heard from representatives who have held leadership roles in three of the most important agencies impacting the global food trade – we are fortunate and thankful that they made the effort to be here in-person.

Other panels included a “foreign markets” focus, featuring two diplomats at embassies based in Washington, D.C.:

• Astrid Jakobs de Padua, head of food and agriculture, German embassy to the U.S.
• Jennifer Groover, head of agriculture policy, British embassy to the U.S.

“We discussed the buy side of agriculture and what kinds of products these important allies are looking to purchase from our family farms,” Lindberg said.

And finally, a panel of state agriculture leaders addressed regional collaboration:

• Gary Black, Georgia commissioner of agriculture
• Hunter Roberts, South Dakota secretary of agriculture and natural resources
• Doug Goehring, North Dakota commissioner of agriculture
• Cicely Wardyn, Nebraska department of agriculture assistant director

“It was a true honor to have senior leaders from four states share their perspectives on what is working to expand exports and create a bright future for our producers.” Lindberg said.

“My takeaway from the Summit is that the time for American agriculture is now. Countries around the world are looking for the United States to be a stabilizing force in the midst of uncertainly and I believe that starts with food security for their people. We have the opportunity to bless those around us and provide resilient markets for our farmers and ranchers – may we step into that calling with the courage this moment requires.”